A man in China was arrested for creating a fake arrest warrant for himself, reportedly due to boredom. Identified only by his surname, Wang, the individual posted the fictitious “Wanted Order” online on November 11, featuring a photo of himself and an elaborate backstory.
According to the South China Morning Post, Wang impersonated Wang Yibo, a well-known Chinese actor, dancer, and singer. His post read: “I am a native of Qinyuan County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. I extorted 30 million yuan ($4 million) from a company on November 10, 2024. I have a submachine gun with 500 bullets. If you find me, you will be rewarded 30,000 yuan ($4,000).”
Local police became aware of the unusual post on November 12, prompting an investigation that led to Wang’s arrest within hours. Authorities reported that no illegal firearms or ammunition were found, and confirmed that no company had been defrauded.
Wang later confessed that he created the arrest warrant because he was feeling bored and unsatisfied with life. The post quickly went viral, garnering 350,000 views, 2,500 likes, and 1,155 shares in just one day.
He has, therefore, been subjected to a “criminal coercive measure” since the action, which constrains his personal freedom as a form of punishment for spreading false information. In China, such measures are often used to temporarily limit an individual’s liberty during police investigations.
Commenting on the incident, police officials said, “The internet is not beyond the reach of the law. Fabricating a story and spreading it are both criminal acts. Anyone who concocts or circulates rumors will face judicial consequences.”
